Wright brothers' replica plane crashes

Associated PressThe Cincinnati Post (Ohio) On Oct 8, 2007

DAYTON -- A replica of the Wright brothers' plane crashed Friday during a demonstration to mark the 102nd anniversary of the flight the aviation pioneers said displayed the first practical flying machine.

There were no injuries, but the replica of the 1905 Wright Brothers Flyer III was damaged.

The crash occurred about 30 seconds into the flight in front of hundreds of spectators at Huffman Prairie, where Wilber and Orville Wright developed and tested their airplanes. The airfield is now part of Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.

Pilot Mark Dusenberry said the plane's motor and frame were functioning properly when he took off. But he said the aircraft began oscillating -- going up and down in roller-coaster fashion - - and as it turned one of the wingtips hit the ground, bringing the aircraft down.